Advocacy is the heart of PTA

Since it began in 1897, National PTA has been a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Washington State PTA (WSPTA) began in 1905 and was instrumental in many issues, from creating preschool to promoting seat belts.

For more information about our PTA history and founders: History - WSPTA (wastatepta.org)

2025 WSPTA Advocacy Overview click here

WSPTA Legislative Assembly

The purpose of legislative assembly is to determine the legislative priorities of Washington State PTA (WSPTA), to educate and mobilize advocates, and to advance WSPTA’s legislative program.

At legislative assembly, you will discover the power PTA has to advocate for every child – the whole child – regardless of race, creed, gender, or zip code. In PTA, every member has an equal voice, and your input matters a great deal to the success of WSPTA's member-driven platform.

October 18-19, 2025 JHS delegates' 2025 WSPTA Legislative Assembly notes

PTA Vision and Mission

Our vision is that every child’s potential becomes a reality.

Our mission is for PTA to be:

A powerful voice for children,
A relevant resource for families, schools, and communities, and
A strong advocate for the well-being and education of all children.

WSPTA Legislative Platform

The WSPTA legislative platform consists of:

Legislative Principles: broad conceptual policy objectives that align with our mission and are the foundational basis for our overall platform (long-term). Legislative Principles (wastatepta.org)

Resolutions: positions that guide our work from the local to the state level, are usually broader in scope than legislative issues, and generally have a call for action (long-term). Resolutions (wastatepta.org)

Legislative Issues: statewide positions that will receive the focus of our advocacy efforts in Olympia (short-term). Advocacy (wastatepta.org)

The 2025-26 Top 5 legislative priorities are:

Closing the Funding Gaps
Addressing Student Mental Health Crisis
Addressing Funding, Inclusion, and Supports in Special Education
Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide
Expanding School Construction Funding Options

Also Supported issues (listed alphabetically):

Increasing Educational Equity by Closing the Digital Divide
Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change

From National PTA-Federal Shutdown: What it Means for Education and How You Can Help

Lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement to fund government programs and operations for the next fiscal year, which led to a shutdown of the federal government.

The federal government funds essential programs that support all students, but several programs are at risk of being underfunded or eliminated by Congress, including programs that support children with disabilities and low-income or underserved school populations.

At a time when our education system and families are strained, it is the time to increase, not decrease federal investments in programs like IDEA and Title I that uplift our nation’s families and schools.

TAKE ACTION TODAY and send a message urging Congress to reach an agreement that prioritizes our nation's children, families and schools!

Updated National PTA Position Statements

National PTA’s Board of Directors recently voted to approve updated versions of two of our association’s position statements. National PTA position statements outline the opinion, will or intent of National PTA to address national problems, situations or concerns that affect children and youth.

Originally adopted in 1990, National PTA’s Position Statement on the Health of Children & Youth and Family Access to Care provides guidance around ensuring that all children and families have access to quality healthcare, nutrition and wellness support. The updated position explores topics like insurance coverage, Medicaid/CHIP, pediatric dental care, SNAP/WIC, childhood vaccinations, youth mental health and more.
Originally adopted in 1996, National PTA’s Position Statement on the Education of Students with Disabilities provides guidance around ensuring that every child, regardless of disability, has the support needed to thrive, including access to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. The updated position emphasizes the importance of access and inclusion, family engagement, funding, accountability, transition planning, positive school discipline and more.